Using Incentives at Transaction Devices

ABSTRACT

A method and system for using incentives at transaction devices are discussed. The method includes receiving a transaction request for processing by a transaction device. The method includes obtaining incentive information associated with incentives from payment instruments for the transaction. The method includes comparing the incentive information to incentive terms offered by financial service providers to determine possible financial service providers able to process the transaction, the incentive terms accessed from remotely located computing devices. The method includes selecting, based on comparing, a preferred payment instrument from the payment instruments and a particular financial service provider from the possible financial service providers for transaction processing. The method includes submitting, according to a protocol used by the particular financial service provider, information related to the transaction and the preferred payment instrument to the particular financial service provider.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/920,985, filed Jun. 18, 2013, and is incorporated by reference in itsentirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to systems and methods thatfacilitate consumer transactions, and more particularly to systems andmethods with respect to the merchant processing side of consumertransactions.

BACKGROUND

Computer systems and networks have facilitated the tasks of buying,selling and transferring goods both locally and in virtual environments.Credit card, debit card, smart card, eCheck, and other modes of purchaserely on sophisticated networks and devices that process proposedtransactions rapidly so as not to frustrate the pace and consummation ofregular consumer transactions for either the purchaser or the merchant.Technology advances have also allowed for a wider variety of devices andtransaction types in retail and other marketplaces.

In many individual point of sale consumer transactions, payment choicesare controlled by the purchaser, such as, for instance, a consumer, withthe merchant having little role in such choices. That is, many merchantsallow consumers and other purchasers to pay for goods or services by hisor her choice of cash, check, debit card, eCheck, and/or severaldifferent types of credit cards, such as Visa, MasterCard, AmericanExpress, Discover, and the like. The merchant has little, if any, choicein the choice of tender type by the consumer. Recent developments incommerce have also seen more acceptance and use of even further paymentmethods, such as by accounts and devices promulgated by electroniccommerce providers such as PayPal, Bank of America, Square, Intuit,Groupon, and Google, among others. The ability of consumers to selectfrom numerous different payment types is one way that many merchantsattract more business from more and a wider variety of consumers.

As is generally well known, payment systems can be centralized,decentralized or subject to virtual systems that connect end users, suchas, for instance a payer and a receiver. These payment systems includeopen looped systems, such as checks and most credit card systems, wherebanks act as intermediaries between end parties and the payment system,as well as closed looped systems, such as Western Union and otherproprietary services, where a typically, non-bank service provider, hasa direct relationship with one or both end parties. Core paymentssystems include cards, an Automated Clearing House (“ACH”), checking,wire transfer and cash. Payments can be “push” payments, where money issent, and “pull” payments, where money is taken. Examples of “push”payments include ACH “credits” and wires, and examples of “pull”payments include checks, cards and ACH “debits.” An ACH or other similaritem can be used for such systems and other electronic networks toprocess large volumes of debit transactions in batches. The ElectronicPayments Association (“NACHA”) manages the development, administration,and governance of the ACH Network, the backbone for the electronicmovement of money and data (see, e.g., www.nacha.org). Some ACHs canoffer same day service or processing for transactions (i.e., same dayACH), and global ACHs can facilitate more streamlined transactionsacross differing countries and currencies, such that interchange feesand delays are reduced or eliminated.

As is also generally well known, various payment card technologies caninvolve the use of magnetic stripe cards, smart cards, contactless andchip and pin cards, such as EMV cards. Also, rates and fees imposed forthe use of a card may be impacted depending upon whether an actual cardis present, which is referred to as “card present,” or not present,which is referred to as “card not present,” for a given transaction.

There are multiple stages in a transaction, such as the authorizationstep and the clearing and settlement step. In general, authorization isreal time from a point of sale (“POS”), and involves conducting securityand fraud checks, estimating risks, verifying funds or creditavailability, and binding an actual card issuer for the use of funds. Ingeneral, clearing and settlement traditionally involves batch processingof many transactions at the end of the day, where the acquirer edits andforwards such items to various financial networks for sorting, computingof fees and routing to separate card issuers. The financial networkscollect funds from the card issuers and pay the acquirers, such that theacquirers can move funds into individual merchant accounts. The cardnetwork defines interchange fees that are transferred from themerchant's acquiring bank to the cardholder's issuing bank. Theinterchange fee is typically set by the network and is non-negotiable.Further, it is often the largest component of any merchant discount fee.This is in contrast to the ACH, in which there are no interchange feesand no floats. Of course, various risks are involved where cards andfinancial systems of this nature are used, and the risks of fraud,liability and the like can shift depending upon whether magnetic stripe,contactless, chip, or other cards are instruments are used, as isgenerally well known.

It is generally well know that the responsibilities of the creditissuers can include posting transactions, funding settlements, managingcredit, rewards and fraud losses, among other possible items. Similarly,it is well known that the responsibilities of the debit issuers caninclude authorizing and posting transactions and funding settlement,among other possible items.

Current acquiring ecosystems are also generally well known. A merchanttypically has an agreement with an acquiring bank, which provides accessto the financial network. The acquirer may provide options for front endauthorization processing. The back end processing can include clearingand settlement functions. The infrastructure (hardware, software, etc.)is usually provided by the acquirer or arranged by the merchant.

Cross border payments are another feature of financial systems thatarise when banks in different countries are used to facilitate giventransactions. Such payments are generally governed by a series ofbilateral agreements and arrangements between banks that agree to handlesuch transactions. Such arrangements have been traditionally limiting,are difficult to break into, and are generally outdated given newtechnologies and systems for facilitating electronic internationalcommerce. Cross border payments typically involve transactions betweenmultiple banks. For instance, on the sender's side, a settlement bankand a correspondent bank is involved and on the receiver's side acorrespondent bank and the receiver's bank is involved. This type ofcorrespondent banking is very profitable given fees, account balancesand foreign exchange margins involved.

Unfortunately, such diversity of choice where electronic financialsystems are used have traditionally benefited purchasers and notmerchants. That is, many merchants are often forced to deal with aparticular bank, financial institution or system to authorize andprocess many or all of the non-cash financial transactions accepted byany given merchant. As is generally well known, such relationships andsystems are often established on a long term and inflexible contractualbasis between a given merchant and a given bank or other back-endfinancial service provider. This tends to lock in many merchants tounfavorable or less favorable terms, however, as trends in financialmarkets and offerings might provide better terms at a later time or forparticular transactions. Moreover, these fixed arrangement involve theuse of expensive infrastructure (e.g., hardware, software andconnectivity) that may be leased over a lengthy term, which furtherlimits merchant choice on authorizer and processer.

Although many systems and methods for facilitating consumer paymentsusing electronic systems have generally worked well in the past, thereis always a desire for improvement. In particular, what is desired aresystems and methods that provide for greater merchant flexibility inconducting consumer transactions using the electronic systems andnetworks of financial service providers. This flexibility, in turn, willfoster a more efficient marketplace that results in benefits for thepurchaser, merchant and financial service providers.

SUMMARY

It is an advantage of the present disclosure to provide systems andmethods that provide for greater merchant flexibility in conductingconsumer transactions using the electronic systems and networks offinancial service providers. This can be accomplished at least in partthrough the use of computing systems and networks that facilitatemerchant influenced or controlled point of sale transactions. Inparticular, such systems and networks can facilitate transactions thatinvolve receiving terms of a point of sale transaction and thenselecting a particular third-party financial service provider from aplurality of possible providers to facilitate authorization andprocessing (e.g., clearing and settlement functions, etc.) of the pointof sale transaction for the merchant. Such systems and networks canfurther facilitate transactions that involve the automatic evaluation ofparameters or rules to enable the immediate and real time selection ofthird-party financial service provider from a plurality of possibleproviders.

As noted above, payment transaction choices have traditionally beencontrolled by the consumer or purchaser. Usually, the purchaser decideswhether to pay with cash, check, credit, debit or other card types. Amerchant has little control, other than to agree to accept cards, and ifso, to select an authorization and processing partner. Often times, theterms of the agreement with the authorizer and processor can be fixed,unfavorable and rigid. Sometimes the selection by a merchant of anacquiring bank determines the partners that provide front end (e.g.,authorization) and back end processing (e.g., clearing and settlement).Various embodiments disclosed herein seek to change this framework byputting some level of control into the hands of the merchant.

Where a consumer or purchaser decides to pay with a card, such as acredit, debit, gift card and the like, the various embodiments providedherein now allow the merchant to influence or take some level of controlover the acceptance and processing of the payment. This control may beexercised on each and every transaction, in real time or automatically,so as to maximize the benefit to the merchant, or such control can beexercised on a batch basis, such as hourly, daily, monthly or some otherperiodic basis. The merchant can select choices manually or on anautomated or semi-automated basis on the fly, by preprogramming, or bymaking a selection of some default choices or parameters.

The partner that provide the front end or back end processing can offerbenefits to the merchant by influencing or motivating the selection ofservices of a given processor, such as by way of volume rates, targetedpurchasers, and the like. The merchant can in turn pass some of thisvalue to purchasers, such as by way of discounts, freebies and otherpromotions, lower or no cross border or other transactional fees, and soforth.

Such merchant control can create an ecosystem that benefits everyoneinvolved in the process, including the merchant, purchaser, and frontend and back end processor. Such an ecosystem may even include amarketplace where competing bids are placed by the processers in aneffort obtain the business of a merchant. Advantages can include, butare not limited to, for example:

-   -   Permitting merchants to obtain the cheapest rates and fees for        payment authorization and processing (e.g., per transaction or        via bulk rates etc.);    -   Offering merchants various value (e.g., rewards, free promotions        and advertising, points program, memberships, discounted rates        in the future, rebates, cash backs, samples, hardware and        software);    -   Giving merchants the ability to influence what payment mechanism        the consumer or purchaser will select (e.g., if a purchaser pays        with a specific branded card instead of cash, the purchaser        gets, for example, a free item, discount, extended warranty,        more time to return the item, price protection, consolidated        statements or other benefit while the merchant may get a        separate value as well);    -   Offering consumers or purchasers value, such as in the foregoing        examples.    -   Providing the payment authorizer and processer the ability to        acquire new merchants, or additional business from an existing        merchant, such as by offering any of the above and/or other        benefits by being selected as the payment authorizer or        processor on particular transaction(s); and    -   Allowing the opportunity to facilitate cross border transaction,        such as by having a processor from the home country of the        purchaser do authorization and processing when the purchaser is        travelling abroad.

In various particular embodiments of the present invention, a computingsystem can include one or more communication interfaces, one or morestorage components, and one or more processors in communication with thecommunication interface(s) and the storage component(s). Thecommunication interface(s) can be adapted to couple the computing systemto one or more remotely located computing devices having informationregarding a plurality of third-party financial service providers, whilethe storage component(s) can be adapted to store merchant information,participating third-party financial service provider information, or anycombination thereof. Also, the processor(s) can be adapted to facilitatemerchant controlled point of sale transactions, wherein suchtransactions can each involve receiving terms of a point of saletransaction between a consumer and the merchant at the computing systemand then selecting a particular third-party financial service providerfrom a plurality of possible providers to facilitate processing thepoint of sale transaction for the merchant after receiving and basedupon one or more of the terms of the point of sale transaction.

In various further embodiments of the present invention, methods of usecan include the process steps of facilitating one or more communicationexchanges between a merchant computing device and one or more remotelylocated computing devices regarding information for a plurality ofthird-party financial services providers, receiving terms of a firstpoint of sale transaction between a first consumer and the merchant atthe merchant computing device, and selecting a particular third-partyfinancial service provider from the plurality of providers to facilitatethe first point of sale transaction, said selecting step occurring aftersaid receiving step at the merchant computing device. his selecting stepmay be performed manually in real time, automatically and immediatelybased on specified rules or criteria or delayed.

In still further embodiments of the present invention, a non-transitorymedium having a plurality of machine-readable instructions can beprovided. Such instructions, when executed by one or more processors ofa server controlled by a service provider, can be adapted to cause theserver to perform a method such as that which is provided above.

Other apparatuses, methods, features and advantages of the inventionwill be or will become apparent to one with skill in the art uponexamination of the following figures and detailed description. It isintended that all such additional systems, methods, features andadvantages be included within this description, be within the scope ofthe invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The included drawings are for illustrative purposes and serve only toprovide examples of possible systems and methods for the disclosedmerchant controlled point of sale transactions. These drawings in no waylimit any changes in form and detail that may be made to that which isdisclosed by one skilled in the art without departing from the spiritand scope of this disclosure.

FIG. 1 illustrates in block diagram format an exemplary computing systemadapted for implementing the purchase of goods or services according toone embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates in block diagram format an exemplary computer systemsuitable for implementing on one or more devices of the computing systemin FIG. 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates in block diagram format an exemplary merchant systemand associated third-party financial providers according to oneembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 provides a flowchart of an exemplary method of facilitatingmerchant controlled point of sale transactions over a financial networkaccording to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 provides a flowchart of an exemplary alternative method offacilitating merchant controlled point of sale transactions over afinancial network according to another embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Exemplary applications of apparatuses and methods according to thepresent disclosure are described in this section. These examples arebeing provided solely to add context and aid in the understanding of thedisclosure. It will thus be apparent to one skilled in the art that thepresent disclosure may be practiced without some or all of thesespecific details. In other instances, well known process steps have notbeen described in detail in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring thepresent disclosure. Other applications are possible, such that thefollowing examples should not be taken as limiting.

In the following detailed description, references are made to theaccompanying drawings, which form a part of the description and in whichare shown, by way of illustration, specific embodiments of the presentdisclosure. Although these embodiments are described in sufficientdetail to enable one skilled in the art to practice the disclosure, itis understood that these examples are not limiting, such that otherembodiments may be used, and changes may be made without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the disclosure.

The present disclosure relates in various embodiments to devices,systems and methods involving activities with respect to the purchase ofgoods or services, such as in a retail setting. In various particularembodiments, the subject devices, systems or methods can involve one ormore user devices in communication over a network. Such a network canfacilitate the improved and purchase of goods or services, such asthrough a more robust system that allows for greater merchant choiceswith respect to the backend financial institutions that ultimatelyprocess the electronic consumer financial transactions. The subjectsystems or methods can utilize programs and/or associated hardware onmerchant devices and systems to facilitate the more varied choices madeavailable to merchants. Such choices can be made in real time and alsoon a delayed basis in various instances.

In general, a merchant acquiring ecosystem such as that which isprovided herein, can involve a business relationship where a merchantsigns a contract with an acquirer that is a network member acquiringbank that provides access to a network. Front end processing isauthorization processing that is typically provided or arranged by theacquirer, and back end processing involves clearing and settlementfunctions. Any particular hardware, software, and/or connectivity can beprovided by the acquirer or arranged by the merchant. Such hardware,software or connectivity may be purchased outright, rented or otherwiseleased by the merchant.

While these various items can include currently available computingcomponents, networks and items that are already in the financialservices industry, it is also specifically contemplated that futureitems can also be integrated into such merchant controlled POS systems.For example, proximity to POS devices can include NFC, Bluetooth,gestures, audio, RFID, barcode, QR technologies, biometrics and GoogleGlass, among other possibilities. Sensors on payment devices can also beincluded, such as, for example, cards that are stored in a virtualwallet, which may be located in the cloud (e.g., SAAS) or otherconvenient virtual location for a purchaser. A mobile device, such as asmart phone, glasses or other wearable device can include anaccelerometer, compass, magnetic reader, code reader and/or othersensors that provide additional ways for consumers to both pay for andreceive transactions at virtually any location.

While the various examples disclosed herein focus on particular aspectsregarding the purchase of goods or services in a retail or similarsetting from the point of view of a merchant, it will be understood thatthe various inventive principles and embodiments disclosed herein can beapplied to other types of applications and arrangements involvingmerchant facilitated consumer or personal transactions as well. Asnon-limiting examples, various transactions at retail settings, taxies,farmers markets, phone orders, online and mobile transactions, amongmany other possibilities, may also utilize one or more of the aspectsand features found in the various systems and methods provided. Inaddition, the various aspects and features may also provide more abilityand flexibility for individuals to accept and process financial paymentselectronically.

Systems and Devices

Beginning with FIG. 1, an exemplary embodiment of a computing systemadapted for implementing the purchase of goods or services isillustrated in block diagram format. As shown, computing system 100 maycomprise or implement a plurality of servers and/or software componentsthat operate to perform various methodologies in accordance with thedescribed embodiments. Exemplary servers may include, for example,stand-alone and enterprise-class servers operating a server OS such as aMICROSOFT® OS, a UNIX® OS, a LINUX® OS, or other suitable server-basedOS. It can be appreciated that the servers illustrated in FIG. 1 may bedeployed in other ways and that the operations performed and/or theservices provided by such servers may be combined or separated for agiven implementation and may be performed by a greater number or fewernumber of servers. One or more servers may be operated and/or maintainedby the same or different entities.

Computing system 100 can include, among various devices, servers,databases and other elements, a client 102 that may comprise or employone or more client devices 104, such as an electronic cash register orassociated component, a desktop computer, a laptop, a mobile computingdevice, a smart phone or tablet, and/or any other computing devicehaving computing and/or communications capabilities in accordance withthe described embodiments. Such devices can be used by a given merchant,and may even be used by consumers in some embodiments.

Client devices 104 generally may provide one or more client programs106, such as system programs and application programs to perform variouscomputing and/or communications operations. Exemplary system programsmay include, without limitation, an operating system (e.g., MICROSOFT®OS, UNIX® OS, LINUX® OS, Symbian OS™, Embedix OS, Binary Run-timeEnvironment for Wireless (BREW) OS, JavaOS, a Wireless ApplicationProtocol (WAP) OS, and others), device drivers, programming tools,utility programs, software libraries, application programming interfaces(APIs), and so forth. Exemplary application programs may include,without limitation, a web browser application, messaging applications(e.g., e-mail, IM, SMS, MMS, telephone, voicemail, VoIP, videomessaging), contacts application, calendar application, electronicdocument application, database application, media application (e.g.,music, video, television), location-based services (LBS) application(e.g., GPS, mapping, directions, point-of-interest, locator), and soforth. One or more of client programs 106 may display various graphicaluser interfaces (GUIs) to present information to and/or receiveinformation from one or more of client devices 104.

As shown, client 102 can be communicatively coupled via one or morenetworks 108 to a network-based system 110. Network-based system 110 maybe structured, arranged, and/or configured to allow client 102 toestablish one or more communications sessions with network-based system110 using various computing devices 104 and/or client programs 106.Accordingly, a communications session between client 102 andnetwork-based system 110 may involve the unidirectional and/orbidirectional exchange of information and may occur over one or moretypes of networks 108 depending on the mode of communication. While theembodiment of FIG. 1 illustrates a computing system 100 deployed in aclient-server operating environment, it is to be understood that othersuitable operating environments and/or architectures may be used inaccordance with the described embodiments.

Data and/or voice communications between client 102 and thenetwork-based system 110 may be sent and received over one or morenetworks 108 such as the Internet, a WAN, a WWAN, a WLAN, a mobiletelephone network, a landline telephone network, a VoIP network, as wellas other suitable networks. For example, client 102 may communicate withnetwork-based system 110 over the Internet or other suitable WAN bysending and or receiving information via interaction with a web site,e-mail, IM session, and/or video messaging session. Any of a widevariety of suitable communication types between client 102 and system110 can take place, as will be readily appreciated. In some embodiments,wireless communications of any suitable form may take place betweenclient 102 and system 110.

In various embodiments, computing system 100 can include, among otherelements, a third party 112, which may comprise or employ a third-partyserver 114 hosting a third-party application 116. In variousimplementations, third-party server 114 and/or third-party application116 may represent a financial network or system associated with oremployed by a third party 112. Third party 112 can be a bank or otherfinancial services provider. For example, third-party server 114 and/orthird-party application 116 may enable network-based system 110 toprovide client 102 with financial services. In some embodiments, one ormore of client programs 106 may be used to access network-based system110 via third party 112. In various embodiments, numerous third partyfinancial services providers 112 can be coupled to network 108 and madeavailable to merchants or other clients 102.

Network-based system 110 may comprise one or more communications servers120 to provide suitable interfaces that enable communication usingvarious modes of communication and/or via one or more networks 108.Communications servers 120 can include a web server 122, an API server124, and/or a messaging server 126 to provide interfaces to one or moreapplication servers 130. Application servers 130 of network-based system110 may be structured, arranged, and/or configured to provide variousonline marketplace and/or purchasing services to users that accessnetwork-based system 110. In various embodiments, client 102 maycommunicate with applications servers 130 of network-based system 110via one or more of a web interface provided by web server 122, aprogrammatic interface provided by API server 124, and/or a messaginginterface provided by messaging server 126. It can be appreciated thatweb server 122, API server 124, and messaging server 126 may bestructured, arranged, and/or configured to communicate with varioustypes of client devices 104 and/or client programs 106 and mayinteroperate with each other in some implementations.

Web server 122 may be arranged to communicate with web clients and/orapplications such as a web browser, web browser toolbar, desktop widget,mobile widget, web-based application, web-based interpreter, virtualmachine, and so forth. API server 124 may be arranged to communicatewith various client programs 106 and/or a third-party application 116comprising an implementation of API for network-based system 110.Messaging server 126 may be arranged to communicate with variousmessaging clients and/or applications such as e-mail, IM, SMS, MMS,telephone, VoIP, video messaging, and so forth, and messaging server 126may provide a messaging interface to enable access by client 102 and/orthird party 112 to the various services and functions provided byapplication servers 130.

When implemented as an online goods and services marketplace,application servers 130 of network-based system 110 may provide variousonline marketplace services including, for example, account services,buying services, selling services, listing catalog services, dynamiccontent management services, delivery services, payment services, andnotification services. Application servers 130 may include an accountserver 132, a buying server 134, a selling server 136, a listing catalogserver 138, a dynamic content management server 140, a payment server142, a notification server 144, and/or a delivery server 146 structuredand arranged to provide such online marketplace services.

Application servers 130, in turn, may be coupled to and capable ofaccessing one or more databases 150 including a subscriber database 152,an active events database 154, and/or a transaction database 156.Databases 150 generally may store and maintain various types ofinformation for use by application servers 130 and may comprise or beimplemented by various types of computer storage devices (e.g., servers,memory) and/or database structures (e.g., relational, object-oriented,hierarchical, dimensional, network) in accordance with the describedembodiments.

Continuing with FIG. 2, an exemplary computer system 200 suitable forimplementing on one or more devices of the computing system in FIG. 1 isdepicted in block diagram format. In various implementations, a devicethat includes computer system 200 may comprise a personal computingdevice (e.g., a smart or mobile phone, a computing tablet, a personalcomputer, laptop, PDA, Bluetooth device, key FOB, badge, etc.) that iscapable of communicating with a network. A given merchant or other goodsor services provider may utilize a network computing device (e.g., anetwork server) capable of communicating with the network. It should beappreciated that each of the devices utilized by users, goods andservices providers, and payment providers may be implemented as computersystem 200 or a suitable equivalent in a manner as follows.

Computer system 200 can include a bus 202 or other communicationmechanism for communicating information data, signals, and informationbetween various components of computer system 200. Components include aninput/output (I/O) component 204 that processes a user action, such asselecting keys from a keypad/keyboard, selecting one or more buttons orlinks, etc., and sends a corresponding signal to bus 202. I/O component204 may also include an output component, such as a display 211 and acursor control 213 (such as a keyboard, keypad, mouse, etc.). Anoptional audio input/output component 205 may also be included to allowa user to use voice for inputting information by converting audiosignals. Audio I/O component 205 may allow the user to hear audio. Atransceiver or network interface 206 transmits and receives signalsbetween computer system 200 and other devices, such as a user device, amerchant server, or a payment provider server via a network. In variousembodiments, such as for many cellular telephone and other mobile deviceembodiments, this transmission can be wireless, although othertransmission mediums and methods may also be suitable. A processor 212,which can be a micro-controller, digital signal processor (DSP), orother processing component, processes these various signals, such as fordisplay on computer system 200 or transmission to other devices over anetwork 260 via a communication link 218. Again, communication link 218can simply be a wireless communication form in some embodiments.Processor 212 may also control transmission of information, such ascookies or IP addresses, to other devices.

Components of computer system 200 also include a system memory component214 (e.g., RAM), a static storage component 216 (e.g., ROM), and/or adisk drive 217. Computer system 200 performs specific operations byprocessor 212 and other components by executing one or more sequences ofinstructions contained in system memory component 214. Logic may beencoded in a computer readable medium, which may refer to any mediumthat participates in providing instructions to processor 212 forexecution. Such a medium may take many forms, including but not limitedto, non-volatile media, volatile media, and transmission media. Invarious implementations, non-volatile media includes optical or magneticdisks, volatile media includes dynamic memory, such as system memorycomponent 214, and transmission media includes coaxial cables, copperwire, and fiber optics, including wires that comprise bus 202. In oneembodiment, the logic is encoded in non-transitory computer readablemedium. In one example, transmission media may take the form of acousticor light waves, such as those generated during radio wave, optical, andinfrared data communications.

Some common forms of computer readable media includes, for example,floppy disk, flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, any other magneticmedium, CD-ROM, any other optical medium, punch cards, paper tape, anyother physical medium with patterns of holes, RAM, PROM, EPROM,FLASH-EPROM, any other memory chip or cartridge, or any other mediumfrom which a computer is adapted to read.

In various embodiments of the present disclosure, execution ofinstruction sequences to practice the present disclosure may beperformed by computer system 200. In various other embodiments of thepresent disclosure, a plurality of computer systems 200 coupled bycommunication link 218 to the network (e.g., such as a LAN, WLAN, PTSN,and/or various other wired or wireless networks, includingtelecommunications, mobile, and cellular phone networks) may performinstruction sequences to practice the present disclosure in coordinationwith one another.

Where applicable, various embodiments provided by the present disclosuremay be implemented using hardware, software, or combinations of hardwareand software. Also, where applicable, the various hardware componentsand/or software components set forth herein may be combined intocomposite components comprising software, hardware, and/or both withoutdeparting from the spirit of the present disclosure. Where applicable,the various hardware components and/or software components set forthherein may be separated into sub-components comprising software,hardware, or both without departing from the scope of the presentdisclosure. In addition, where applicable, it is contemplated thatsoftware components may be implemented as hardware components andvice-versa.

Software, in accordance with the present disclosure, such as programcode and/or data, may be stored on one or more computer readablemediums. It is also contemplated that software identified herein may beimplemented using one or more general purpose or specific purposecomputers and/or computer systems, networked and/or otherwise. Suchsoftware may be stored and/or used at one or more locations along orthroughout the system, at client 102, network-based system 110, or both.

Merchant Controlled Point of Sale

As will be readily appreciated, the foregoing networks, systems anddevices, as well as various associated methods and variations thereof,can all be used to implement a more diversified merchant controlledpoint of sale with respect to supporting backend financial serviceproviders. Backend merchant to third-party electronic payment processingrelationships and systems are generally well known, and have been aroundfor many years. In many such arrangements, a given retail store,restaurant, services provider, online goods seller, or other merchanthas an established long term contractual relationship with a singleprovider for all credit card, debit card and other similar purchasesfrom any and all consumers. Such agreements tend to be for months oryears, with set terms that rarely change. In some instances, a fewproviders may be contracted at the same time, and terms may change onrare occasion. Again, the actual processes of verification, riskassessment, authorization, credit granting or denial, and merchantreconciliation are generally well known for the processing of electronictransactions between a merchant and their contracted third-partyprovider. Further details of such can be found at, for example, U.S.Pat. No. 8,255,325, which is incorporated by reference herein in itsentirety, among other references.

Unlike traditional merchant side systems, however, the presentlydisclosed system and methods provide much more choice and flexibility tomerchants. Rather than having merchants resort to known and limitedapproaches procedures involving backing financial institutions forcredit, debit and other electronic transactions at a point of sale, amore merchant friendly system involving greater merchant controls andselections can be provided. One or more applications or “apps” can beprovided for download and use on private merchant devices and enterprisesystems, so as to help facilitate the use of a more robust merchantcontrolled point of sale process. Such an application can be called, forexample, a “Merchant Select System,” among other possible names. Invarious embodiments, such applications and processes for improvedmerchant controlled point of sale transactions can be facilitated by atransaction service provider, such as, for example, PayPal Inc. of SanJose, Calif.

A programmable point of sale device or system can utilize the downloadedMerchant Select System application(s) or program(s) to facilitategreater merchant controls and selections based on multiple parameters.Rather than force a merchant to be locked into a rigid long termagreement with one or a limited number of selected backend financialservice providers for all electronic based transactions, the presentMerchant Select System can allow for the selection of one from manypossible financial services providers for every different transaction.In various embodiments, a given merchant can either manually orautomatically select the particular payment software or processingprotocol of a given backend financial services provider in conducting aparticular financial transaction. Such a selection can be based onoverall fees or discounts, interest rates, quality of service, credits,promotions, volume discounts, rewards, benefits, social promotions andthe like.

FIG. 3 illustrates in block diagram format an exemplary merchant systemand associated third-party financial providers. Overall financial system300 can include a given merchant 302, a wide area network 308, and aplurality of possible third-party backend services providers 312 a-312 nto choose from. The network 308 can be a proprietary financial systemsnetwork, the Internet, or any other suitable wide area network. Eachentity on the network can have its own electronic systems suitable forcommunicating with other independent entities on the network. Furtherdetails of each particular system can be found referenced in FIG. 1, forexample. Of course, numerous merchants 302 can participate in an overallsystem such as that which is provided herein, although FIG. 3 is shownmerely from the point of view of a single participating merchant.

Unlike many traditionally rigid merchant to financial services providerrelationships, the present disclosure is intended to present a morefluid and variable arrangement that can be used or not used with respectto any and all providers as may be desired for each different merchant.Rather than establish static, long term, and set contractual relationswith a particular set of front end and back end processers, merchantenter agreements that permit the merchant to utilize the services of theprovider as desired on a per transaction basis, and on terms that changerapidly over time. In some embodiments, terms and offer arrangements canvary monthly, weekly, daily or even hourly. Other time increments canalso be used. Even further, financial providers can be solicited tooffer special terms for a given point of sale transaction in real time.Similarly, providers can participate in a marketplace and competitivelybid for processing transactions from a given merchant or set ofmerchants. While such arrangements can be manual as may be desired, manysuch transactions can be fully automated based upon parameters, rulesand preferences input into the system by each participating merchantand/or processer service provider.

Again, all entities can benefit from such a merchant controlled POSecosystem. Backend banking or card issuer entities or other paymentprocessors can offer benefits to the merchant such that a consumer orpurchaser is influenced to use a particular tender type (e.g., brandedcard) or a merchant selects the services of a given processor, such asby way of discounts, volume rates, targeted purchasers, benefits and thelike. The merchant can in turn pass some of this value to purchasers,such as by way of discounts, freebies and other promotions, lower or nocross border or other transactional fees, and so forth. As noted above,such systems can permit merchants to obtain the cheapest rates forpayment authorization and processing, such as allowing merchants to optfor their choices per transaction or via rates on bulk batch processedtransactions. In addition, the present systems can offer merchantsvarious values for selecting a given acquirer and/or a given cardprocessor. Such values can include, as non-limiting examples, rebates,rewards, promotions and advertising, points program, memberships,discounted rates in the future, cash backs, and so forth.

In addition, merchants can be given the ability to influence whatpayment mechanism the purchaser will select. The merchant will get aseparate value as well for such a purchaser selection, which canincentivize the merchant to provide greater rewards to purchasers. Forexample, if a purchaser pays with a specific branded card, the purchasercan be provided from the merchant a free item, discount, extendedwarranty, more time to return the item, price protection or otherbenefit.

Also, the payment authorizer and processer are provided the ability toacquire more business from a merchant, such as by offering any of theabove and/or other benefits by being selected as the payment processoron particular transaction(s). Rewards or benefits can include discountedrates, fees, time for transfers or processing and other items. Suchrewards or benefits can incentivize merchants to use given acquirersand/or card processors more than others, which then results in morebusiness and amount of fees for those processing parties. Also, thepresent system can allow for the opportunity to facilitate cross bordertransaction, such as by having a processor from the home country of thepurchaser do authorization and processing when the purchaser istravelling abroad. This provides added benefits and reduced rates andprocessing times for merchants and purchasers.

In one particular non-limiting illustration, a given merchant can be,for example, “Juice King,” and can accept various major credit cards, aswell as PayPal, Square, Google, Apple and Amazon for any transaction ata retail location. Upon accepting any such valid form of electronicpayment from a customer, the merchant payment application can thendetermine which backend financial services provider is offering the bestdeal to that merchant for that transaction at that time. Anywhere fromtwo to dozens or even hundreds of backend payment processing banks orother financial service providers can be made available to the merchantthrough the merchant payment application. Such backend providers can be,for example, PayPal gateway, Square, Braintree, ISIS, Intuit, FirstData, or any of numerous specific banks or other providers. Banks caninclude, for example, Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citigroup,ICICI, and HSBC, among many others. A selection of the best provider oralternatively a preferred provider based upon all the terms beingoffered at the time can then be made either manually by the merchant orautomatically by the merchant payment application based on setpreferences.

In various general embodiments, a merchant point of sale computingdevice or system can at least include one or more communicationinterfaces, one or more storage components, and one or more processorsin communication with both. The communication interface(s) can beadapted to couple the computing system to one or more remotely locatedcomputing devices having information regarding a plurality ofthird-party financial service providers. The one or more storagecomponents can be adapted to store merchant information, participatingthird-party financial service provider information, or any combinationthereof. The one or more processors can be adapted to facilitate themerchant controlled point of sale transactions, such as by using aMerchant Select System or other suitable program or application. Theprocessors can be adapted to conduct consumer transactions, each ofwhich can involve receiving terms of a point of sale transaction betweena consumer and the merchant at the computing system and then selecting aparticular third-party financial service provider from a plurality ofpossible providers to facilitate processing the point of saletransaction for the merchant after receiving and based upon the specificterms of the point of sale transaction. This selection step can happenmanually in real time, automatically and immediately based on rules orcriteria or can be delayed for more bulk type batch processing.

In various detailed embodiments, a particular third-party financialservice provider can be separately selected for every separate point ofsale transaction at the merchant. In some embodiments, a particularthird-party financial service provider can be selected in real time asthe point of sale transaction between the consumer and merchant takesplace, while in other embodiments, the service provider can be selectedat a later time for processing, such as up to one to three days later.Other embodiments can include both real time and delayed selections, asmay be desired. In some cases, the particular third-party financialservice provider can be selected by the system automatically without anyaffirmative action by the merchant, while in others, the particularthird-party financial service provider can be chosen based at least inpart on a manual input by the merchant.

In various embodiments, the processors or overall system can be adaptedto maintain data thereupon regarding one or more of the variousplurality of participating third-party financial service providers. Suchdata can be updated on a periodic basis, for example, so as to reflectchanges in financial terms offered by one or more of the plurality ofthird-party financial service providers. In some arrangements, thesystem can be adapted to facilitate the solicitation of offers from andupdate data on the system regarding one or more of third-party financialservice providers in real time and in response to receiving the terms ofthe point of sale transaction between the consumer and the merchant atthe computing system.

Further embodiments can include various methods of facilitating merchantcontrolled point of sale transactions over a financial network. Suchmethods can include, for example, steps such as providing software codeto be used on a merchant computing device, facilitating one or morecommunications exchanges, receiving terms for a first point of saletransaction, and selecting a particular third-party financial serviceprovider, among other possible process steps. Again, the software codecan include information regarding merchant controlled point of saletransactions, such that the providing step and one or more other stepscan be performed electronically by a processor. The communicationsexchanges can be between the merchant computing device and one or moreremotely located computing devices regarding information for a pluralityof third-party financial services providers, such as for purposes ofproviding terms both for the point of sale transaction itself and forthe backend financial processing. Such information may, but need not, bereceived from a marketplace where processors provide merchants real timeand competing bids. Again, selecting a particular third-party financialservice provider can be choosing one from a plurality of providers tofacilitate the first point of sale transaction, and the selecting stepcan occur after the receiving step at the merchant computing device. Inthis manner, the backend third-party financial processing entity can bechosen based upon what terms are best for a given point of saletransaction. This selection step can occur manually in real time,automatically and immediately based on rules or criteria or can bedelayed for more bulk type batch processing.

In various detailed embodiments, the steps of receiving and selectingoccur separately for every separate point of sale transaction at themerchant. In alternative arrangements, several point of saletransactions can be lumped together, such as for special promotionsperiods, benefits, geographic factors, tender type, thresholds or typesof transactions where the same third-party provided is used repeatedlyfor a limited time. In various embodiments, the step of selecting occurscontemporaneously as the point of sale transaction between the consumerand merchant takes place, while in other arrangements, selection cantake place at a later time, such as, for example, up to one to threedays later. This delayed selection permits the merchant an opportunityto optimize economic and non-economic factors in the decision of thefront end and back end processor. Again, selection can take placeautomatically without any affirmative action by the merchant based onsome rules or criteria, or can be in response to manual merchant input.In various arrangements, the merchant can be allowed to manuallyoverride an automatic selection at a later time, as may be preferred forone or more specific transactions. As in the foregoing embodiments,further steps can include updating data on the system regarding one ormore of the third-party financial service providers, where such updatingcan reflect changes in financial terms offered by the providers. Inaddition, the process can also include soliciting specific customizedoffers from one or more of the third-party financial service providersin response to and based on receiving the terms of a point of saletransaction between the consumer and the merchant at the computingsystem. Or such providers can make competing bids to merchants in a realtime bidding marketplace, in an effort to get selected by the merchant.

In still further embodiments, various non-transitory mediums having aplurality of machine-readable instructions which, when executed by oneor more processors of a server controlled by a service provider, areadapted to cause a server to perform a method such as any of theforegoing methods.

In various embodiments, numerous factors can be used by the MerchantSelect System to determine which third-party provider is the best onefor any given point of sale transaction. Such factors can include, forexample, the rate percentage to the provider, any cashback to themerchant or consumer, miles or bonus points, any existing useragreements, the type of card or bank used by the consumer, discounts,promotions, incentives, coupons, specific location, specific itemspurchased, specific day, date or time, membership rewards, and so forth.Of course, other items may also be used in determining which third-partyprovider is the best one for any given point of sale transaction.

Given the foregoing factors, a suitable Merchant Select System programor application on a merchant device or overall point of sale processingsystem can be set to run constantly in an automated mode using aparticular protocol, always monitoring for any significant changes ordifferences with respect to terms being offered by all eligible backendfinancial service providers. For example, a merchant can have anywherefrom two to several hundred different providers input into the system,and then input preferences as to which factors are preferable for thesystem automated selection of a third-party provider. A suitablegraphical user interface (“GUI”) can be provided as part of the MerchantSelect System in order to enable an operator of the merchant to inputthe desired preferences for selection.

In various further embodiments, other procedures can be implemented sothat many parties can take advantage of the knowledge of what others areoffering, similar to retail stores being able to compete with eachother. For example, every merchant and third-party financial servicesprovider that participates in a Merchant Select System can be providedwith the various terms being offered by every other third-partyfinancial services provider. In such an arrangement, providers can beincentivized to be more competitive on terms with each other. Changescan be provided and updated across all merchants using the system inreal time, such that each third-party provider can determine what termsand promotions might be adjustable to be more competitive in thefinancial processing markets with respect to other banks and providers.

While the foregoing embodiments have emphasized that the merchantsystems be specifically adapted to download and run one or more programsrelated to an overall Merchant Select System that is able to select froma number of different financial providers, it will also be appreciatedthat such applications and programs can also be used and run on consumerdevices. That is, consumer computers, laptops, smart phones, PDAs,wearable devices such as Google Glass, embedded devices, scanners,cameras and the like can be adapted to use the Merchant Select System orsome portion thereof. Portions of the application in user devices canhelp facilitate the applications that do run on participating merchantsystems. For example, various consumer details and preferences can beexchanged rapidly between a consumer smart phone and merchant system,such that more information can be used to make a good selection of thebest services provider for a given point of sale transaction with thatconsumer. In such arrangements, consumers can be provided withincentives for using portions of the Merchant Select System on theirpersonal devices. Such incentives can include faster transactionprocessing, discounts, promotions and other benefits, as may beappropriate. For instance, a transaction involving bar codes or NFC maytake less time to complete than payment with cash or a card.

In various embodiments where consumers are also outfitted with thepresent programs or applications on their personal devices, additionalfeatures may also be present. For example, user verification orauthentication features may be desired. Such items can include, forexample, passwords, RFID identifiers, barcodes, voice recognition,fingerprint or other biometric identifiers, or the like. In addition,the presence of the program on the user device can also influence howthe consumer pays in some arrangements. For example, a Merchant SelectSystem might provide certain discounts, bonus miles, promotions or otherincentives to consumers on the spot for a given transaction if theconsumer will use a particular card or form of payment for that exacttransaction. Such systems can benefit from the program on the device ofthe user being aware of all of the payment options that the user has athis or her disposal, such that a given merchant or financial providercan incentivize a particular way to pay if that might be desirable.

Methods

Although a wide variety of applications and methods involving the use ofmerchant controlled point of sale transactions might be envisioned, afew specific methods are illustrated here. Turning next to FIG. 4, aflowchart of an exemplary method of facilitating merchant controlledpoint of sale transactions over a financial network is provided. Inparticular, such a method can involve using or operating any of thevarious computing components, devices, systems, features and/or networksdescribed above. It will be readily appreciated that not every methodstep set forth in this flowchart is always necessary, and that furthersteps not set forth herein may also be included. For example, thestoring of information on one or more storage units within the systemcan take place, as will be readily appreciated. Other process stepsrelated to facilitating electronic merchant transactions can also takeplace. In addition, the exact order of steps may be altered as desiredfor various applications.

Beginning with a start step 400, a first process step 402 can involve anapplication or other suitable program being provided to a merchantelectronic commerce device, computing device or system. Such providingcan be performed electronically by a processor, such as on a separatelyowned server located remotely from the merchant and the programprovider. As will be readily appreciated, this providing can befacilitated by the remote processor, such as through an app store orother processor or server owned by another separate party thatcommunicates directly with merchant devices or computing systems. Theapplication or program can include software code to run a number offunctions, including code or information regarding running an automatedmerchant controlled process.

At a subsequent process step 404, suitable communication exchanges cantake place between the merchant system and one or more other systemsover the network. Such communications can be made directly with backendthird-party financial institutions or other service providers, with anapplication provider or vendor that obtains information from the serviceproviders directly, or with one or more other intermediaries that relayinformation, data and updates. At the next process step 406, data on thesystem regarding the various participating financial services providerscan be updated on the merchant system. Such updates can involve changesto offer terms, new promotions, higher credit limits, newly availableusers, and the like.

At the following step 408, the terms of a particular point of saleconsumer transaction can be received into the system. This can be doneany number of ways, such as, for example, simply scanning a bar code ofpurchased items at a cash register and the tendering of a credit card orother payment device by the customer. All data regarding the location,date, time, items purchased, customer, and type of payment can be inputinto the system. Various items can be input manually, and others can beinput automatically. In some embodiments, much or all of the data inputcan be automated, such as by a robust program that monitors many itemsand is able to know details about purchased items. Further, informationregarding the consumer can be coupled to a personal device that syncsinto the system, such as a smart phone or other suitable item.

At a following optional step 410, offers can be actively solicited fromone or more providers based upon the specific details of the pendingconsumer transaction. For example, details regarding the location, date,time, items purchased, consumer identity, card used, and so forth can beforwarded to various providers for the purpose of possibly changing theactively available terms to be even better than what is on file. In someembodiments, a time limit to improve the terms can also be provided.Such a time limit can be, for example, ten minutes, one hour, a day orthree days, although other limits are also possible. In the event that aparticular service provider decides to change offer terms later for aparticular transaction, the merchant can be provided with the option tochange providers at a later time within the limit.

Process step 412 then has the system compare the actual details or termsof the given point of sale consumer transaction with all of the data onthe system regarding all of the participating and available serviceproviders. Terms for the outstanding offer for each provider can bepresented, and the provider for that transaction can then be selected atprocess step 414. Again, such a selection can be automated based uponpreset parameters and preferences. Alternatively, the selection of thethird-party service provider can be manually decided upon by themerchant. In such a situation, a suitable GUI can present numerousoptions of different providers and relevant terms for each in order tomake an adequate comparison and selection.

At the next decision step 416, an inquiry can be made as to whether morepoint of sale transactions are desired. If so, then the process moves toanother decision step 418, where another inquiry is made as to whetherthere are any new terms from any of the actively participatingthird-party providers. If so, then the method reverts back to step 406,and then repeats. If there are no new terms, however, then them methodreverts back to process step 408, and then repeats.

If no further transactions are desired at step 416 though, then themethod proceeds to finish at end step 420. Still further steps not showncan include, for example, providing offers or advertisements to amerchant or consumer, extending credit offers to merchants or consumers,or requiring a PIN or other personal identifier where certaintransactions are determined to be more risky than less risky ones. Manyother potential process steps may also be included, as will be readilyappreciated. These processes can provide benefits that influence theconsumer or purchaser select one tender type over another tender type.

Lastly, FIG. 5 provides a flowchart of an exemplary alternative methodof facilitating merchant controlled point of sale transactions over afinancial network according to another embodiment of the presentdisclosure. Again, this method can involve using or operating any of thevarious computing components, devices, systems, features and/or networksdescribed above. It will be readily appreciated that not every methodstep set forth in this flowchart is always necessary, and that furthersteps not set forth herein may also be included. Other process stepsrelated to facilitating electronic merchant transactions can also takeplace. In addition, the exact order of steps may be altered as desiredfor various applications.

Beginning with a start step 500, a first process step 502 can involvefacilitating a communication exchange with a third party financialservices provider. Again, such communications can be made directly withbackend third-party financial institutions or other service providers,with an application provider or vendor that obtains information from theservice providers directly, or with one or more other intermediariesthat relay information, data and updates. Such communications caninvolve negotiating or soliciting information regarding terms, forexample. At the next process step 504, actual terms are established withthe given third-party provider, with such terms including, for example,interest rates, fees, holds, discounts, and incentives, among variousother possible items. At the following decision step 506, an inquiry ismade as to whether more providers are desired. If so, then steps 502 and504 are repeated for each new third-party provider. In this manner, theterms for possible upcoming POS transactions can be established inadvance for a plurality of third-party providers. As will be readilyappreciated, such terms can vary based upon date, time, location, itempurchased, purchaser, incentives, and many other factors.

At the following step 508, criteria for a given POS transaction are thenevaluated by the system. Such criteria can involve the amount ofpurchase, date, time, location, item purchased, purchaser, availablecredit, merchant, incentives, discounts, and numerous other items orfactors. As in the foregoing embodiments, such criteria can be enteredor learned by the system in any number of ways, such as, for example, bysimply scanning a bar code of purchased items at a cash register and thetendering of a credit card or other payment device by the customer. Alldata regarding the location, date, time, items purchased, customer, andtype of payment can be input into the system. Various items can be inputmanually, and others can be input automatically, as noted above.

At subsequent step 510, the criteria from the given POS transaction canthen be compared with the already existing terms for the variousmultiple possible third-party financial service providers. The providerfor that POS transaction can then be selected at process step 512 basedupon the evaluation and comparison. Again, such a selection can beautomated based upon preset parameters and preferences. Alternatively,the selection of the third-party service provider can be manuallydecided upon by the merchant. In such a situation, a suitable GUI canpresent numerous options of different providers and relevant terms foreach in order to make an adequate comparison and selection. In either ofthese arrangements, the selection of the provider can take place in realtime as the POS transaction is actually taking place. As yet anotherpossibility, selection of the provider can be delayed to a later time,such as later that day or the next day.

At the next decision step 514, an inquiry can be made as to whether morepoint of sale transactions are desired. If so, then the method revertsback to step 508, and then repeats steps 508-512. If no furthertransactions are desired at step 514 though, then the method proceeds tofinish at end step 516. Again, further steps may exist but are not shownfor purposes of simplicity in illustration.

Although the foregoing disclosure has been described in detail by way ofillustration and example for purposes of clarity and understanding, itwill be recognized that the above described disclosure may be embodiedin numerous other specific variations and embodiments without departingfrom the spirit or essential characteristics of the disclosure. Variouschanges and modifications may be practiced, and it is understood thatthe disclosure is not to be limited by the foregoing details, but ratheris to be defined by the scope of the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computing system associated with a transactiondevice, the computing system comprising: a non-transitory memory storinginstructions; and a processor configured to execute the instructions tocause the computing system to: receive a transaction request associatedwith a transaction for processing by the transaction device; in responseto receiving the transaction request, obtain incentive informationassociated with a plurality of incentives from a plurality of paymentinstruments for the transaction; compare the incentive information ofthe plurality of payment instruments to respective incentive termsoffered for processing of transactions by each of a plurality ofthird-party financial service providers to determine a plurality ofpossible third-party financial service providers that are able toprocess the transaction, the incentive terms accessed from a pluralityof remotely located computing devices; select, based on the comparing, apreferred payment instrument from the plurality of payment instrumentsand a particular third-party financial service provider from theplurality of possible third-party financial service providers forprocessing the transaction; and submit, according to a protocol used bythe particular third-party financial service provider, informationrelated to the transaction and the preferred payment instrument to theparticular third-party financial service provider.
 2. The computingsystem of claim 1, wherein executing the instructions further causes thecomputing system to, identify an incentive that is determined by amerchant associated with the transaction device, the incentivedetermined based on service provider information regarding the pluralityof third-party financial service providers.
 3. The computing system ofclaim 1, wherein the preferred payment instrument is determined by amerchant, associated with the transaction device, based on the serviceprovider information.
 4. The computing system of claim 2, wherein theservice provider information includes one or more benefits associatedwith the respective ones of the plurality of payment instruments.
 5. Thecomputing system of claim 4, wherein the one or more benefits includeone or more selected from a group consisting of a rebate, a reward, apromotion, an advertisement, one or more points, a membership, adiscounted rate, cash back, and one or more samples.
 6. The computingsystem of claim 4, wherein the selecting is based on the benefits. 7.The computing system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of incentivesinclude one or more selected from a group consisting of a free item, adiscount, a rebate, cash back, points, bonus miles, an extendedwarranty, an extended period to return merchandise, price protection,and a reduced transaction fee.
 8. The computing system of claim 1,wherein executing the instructions further causes the computing systemto, in response to receiving the transaction request, obtain previousincentive information associated with an incentive for a previouspayment instrument for the transaction; and indicate, via a graphicaluser interface of the computing system and based on the previousincentive information and the incentive information, to change theprevious payment instrument to the preferred payment instrument.
 9. Amethod for using incentives at transaction devices, the methodcomprising: receiving a transaction request associated with atransaction for processing by a transaction device; in response toreceiving the transaction request, obtain first incentive informationassociated a first payment instrument for the transaction, the firstpayment instrument associated with a customer selection; in response toreceiving the transaction request, obtaining second incentiveinformation associated with an incentive from a plurality of incentives,for a second payment instrument for the transaction; indicate, via agraphical user interface of a computing device and based on the firstincentive information and the second incentive information, to changethe first payment instrument to the second payment instrument; comparingthe second incentive information to respective incentive terms offeredfor processing of transactions by each of a plurality of third-partyfinancial service providers to determine a plurality of possiblethird-party financial service providers that are able to process thetransaction, the incentive terms accessed from a plurality of remotelylocated computing devices associated with the plurality of third-partyfinancial service providers; selecting, based on the comparing, aparticular third-party financial service provider from the plurality ofpossible third-party financial service providers for processing thetransaction; and submitting, according to a protocol used by theparticular third-party financial service provider, information relatedto the transaction and the second payment instrument to the particularthird-party financial service provider for processing the transaction.10. The method of claim 9, wherein the computing device comprises thetransaction device, wherein the customer selection is received at thetransaction device.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the computingdevice is associated with a customer, wherein the customer selection isreceived at the computing device.
 12. The method of claim 10, whereinthe service provider information includes one or more benefitsassociated with the respective ones of a plurality of paymentinstruments that comprises the first payment instrument and the secondpayment instrument.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the one or morebenefits include one or more selected from a group consisting of arebate, a reward, a promotion, an advertisement, one or more points, amembership, a discounted rate, cash back, and one or more samples. 14.The method of claim 9, wherein the plurality of incentives include oneor more selected from a group consisting of a free item, a discount, arebate, cash back, points, bonus miles, an extended warranty, anextended period to return merchandise, price protection, and a reducedtransaction fee.
 15. A non-transitory machine-readable medium havinginstructions stored thereon, the instructions executable to causeperformance of operations comprising: receiving a transaction requestassociated with a POS transaction for processing by a transactiondevice; in response to receiving the transaction request, obtainingincentive information associated with an incentive, from a plurality ofincentives, for a plurality of payment instruments for the POStransaction; indicate, based on the incentive information, a change froma first payment instrument to a second payment instrument of theplurality of payment instruments; comparing the incentive information torespective incentive terms offered for processing of transactions byeach of a plurality of third-party financial service providers todetermine a plurality of possible third-party financial serviceproviders that are able to process the POS transaction, the incentiveterms accessed from a plurality of remotely located computing devicesassociated with the plurality of third-party financial serviceproviders; selecting, based on the comparing, a particular third-partyfinancial service provider from the plurality of possible third-partyfinancial service providers for processing the POS transaction; andsubmitting, according to a protocol used by the particular third-partyfinancial service provider, information related to the POS transactionand the second payment instrument to the particular third-partyfinancial service provider.
 16. The non-transitory machine-readablemedium of claim 15, wherein the operations further comprise: identifyingthe incentive that is determined by a customer associated with the POStransaction; and providing the incentive in response to the change of apreferred payment instrument to the second payment instrument, duringthe POS transaction.
 17. The non-transitory machine-readable medium ofclaim 16, wherein a computing device is associated with a customer,wherein a customer selection changing to the second payment instrumentis received at the computing device.
 18. The non-transitorymachine-readable medium of claim 16, wherein the service providerinformation includes one or more benefits associated with the respectiveones of the plurality of payment instruments.
 19. The non-transitorymachine-readable medium of claim 16, wherein the service providerinformation includes one or more benefits associated with the respectiveones of the plurality of payment instruments; and wherein the one ormore benefits include one or more selected from a group consisting of arebate, a reward, a promotion, an advertisement, one or more points, amembership, a discounted rate, cash back, and one or more samples. 20.The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 15, wherein theservice provider information includes one or more benefits associatedwith the respective ones of the plurality of payment instruments; andwherein the one or more benefits include one or more selected from agroup consisting of a rebate, a reward, a promotion, an advertisement,one or more points, a membership, a discounted rate, cash back, and oneor more samples.